Life as a Visual Storyteller—Episode 20—20th July, 2015: Acknowledge to Others the Mess You've Got Yourself into, but Don't Beat Yourself Up About It

As an entrepreneur, I am invincible. There are no kinks in my armour. Nothing gets me down, beats me back, defeats me. Ever. I am successful. Everything I do is amazing. I have no faults.

I'm sure you agree. After all, I've never told you of any failings or failures. Check out my social media feed. You'll see how awesome I am.

[...]

Perhaps you'd like the truth now?

I can be beaten. My armour is flimsy. Some days, every single step gets me down. Every breeze beats me back. Some days, quite often in fact, I am defeated. I am not successful. Nothing I do is remotely amazing. I'm flawed in almost every way.

This isn't self-deprecation. It's honesty.

I have many failings. I have failed more often than I have succeeded. I am not awesome. Don't believe my social media feed. Even I don't.

[...]

Admitting imperfection isn't the same as being imperfect One of the great things that comes with advancing years is an understanding of how much energy we waste beating ourselves up things that go wrong. That's energy that could be put to much better use.

We also expend a silly amount of energy trying to hide our insecurities from others.

Here's where I think we go wrong. We know we have flaws and failings and FUBARs, and we feel bad about them. Big time. In my case, the dial goes up to 11. And if I feel bad about them, others will too. And they will judge me. Best hide them altogether. Pull on the mask, construct a façade. Nothing to see here.

At least, that's how it works for me.

I'm trying to change that.

So, yeah, business is slow. I have worries and anxieties about the short-term and mid-term future. I'm behind with where I wanted Show & Tell to be. I wonder whether the new company will provide an income that will sustain me and my family. Money is tight. I'm not where I think I should be at my age.

Can't deny it.

But, d'you know what? That's just the way it is at the moment. With the help of my mentor, I'm learning that I can be OK about this. I don't need to beat myself up over it.

Doesn't mean my anxiety is any less real, but at least I can reduce the negative feelings that go with it. Besides, we're working on that anxiety too.

And as far as what other people think...

Want to know a secret?

In my experience, when I tell people what's going on, good things happen.

People offer help. I've experienced remarkable generosity over the past couple of years. Turns out, people care.

People care about you too. People want to help you. If you are willing to let them.

Letting people help you isn't a sign of weakness or desperation. It strengthens a bond. It allows people to express their kindness. It helps them feel good about themselves.

And there will come a time when you will be in a position to help them in return.